Somatic Experiencing

"How does SE® work ?

Wild animals are regularly threatened with death yet rarely become traumatised. This highly charged energy released in their body to enable them to fight back or run away is discharged when the threat has passed. It is this primitive discharge process that helps the animal return to full normal health and not become overwhelmed.

We are equipped with the same capacity to overcome an overwhelming experience. Yet we also have a rational brain that frequently ‘rejects’ the powerful primal instinct of the body. The result is that huge fight/flight energy gets trapped in our nervous system where it can lead to symptoms; sometimes immediately, sometimes years later.

SE’s guided gentle process of sensing within and without can lead to a renegotiation of traumatic experiences that have been ‘stored in the body’. This can have a profound effect on your ability to recover and put the past where it belongs." Somatic Experiencing Association

Trauma persists long after the event- often we experiencing symptoms we are not even aware are related to trauma or stress from the past.  This is because trauma is primarily stored in our bodies and our emotions..

SE is a way of processing trauma effectively through the body.

There are often many reasons why people are detached from their bodies often good reasons- it can feel overwhelming.  When mixed with IFS we can move slowly and with consent making sure your system feels comfortable.